The 2022/23 Top 14 Final was a renowned success in terms of TV viewership. The final between Toulouse and La Rochelle presented the immaculate calibre of French rugby, ahead of Les Bleus hosting the 2023 Rugby World Cup this September.
Toulouse recorded a dramatic 29-26 victory over Ronan O’Gara’s side, thanks to the last-ditch heroics of Romain Ntamack. The Toulouse fly half scored a phenomenal solo try from 60m out, to steal a late win and 22nd Top 14 title for his side.
The TV broadcast recorded the highest figures for the Top 14 Final since 2014. A post by the lead TV broadcasters Canal+ (and additional translation via French sports journalist Illtud W. Dafydd) highlighted the success.
At it’s peak, the 2023 Top 14 Final was watched by 1.18million people on Canal+. The match was also shown on free-to-air network France 2, with a peak of 4.6million viewers tuning in (with an average of 3.5 million).
This was the highest viewership for the Top 14 Final in nine years, with the 2013/14 season finale still setting the mark for viewership. Toulon’s triumphant 18-10 victory over Castres landed them their fourth league title. Toulon bolstered an all-star team back in 2014, with the likes of Jonny Wilkinson, Bryan Habana, Mathieu Bastareaud and the Armitage brothers bolstering the viewing figures.